I think that we in CEP, they in CW agree that we need to renew the labor movement in this
country and they thought that it was maybe time to create something new, to create a new union.
The creation of the new union was driven by the economic crisis, the great recession of 2007,
2008 and 2009, when trade unions realized that the old model was not working for its
membership and we were not being as effective as we should be in responding to the economic
and political crisis taking place in Canada and around the world.
When you are proposing change, it's always, for some people, it's always difficult. You know,
you are in an organization that you like, you are in an organization that you have put
tons of hours that you have worked with for many, many years and now thinking that we're
putting aside that organization to go into a new organization can make some people nervous.
What do I think the results are going to be? I think that we're not going to move
because I don't think it's a good, I don't think it's a good plan for CEP. CEP is strong
and I don't think we need to move to CEP. That's my opinion.
I think that this new union project will put our organization, our new organization in a much
better position to deal with both the economic and political situations that are facing our members
and the country itself. Big isn't necessarily better, but if it's good, big is much better.
Well, I hope that we will be a model. First of all, our first goal here will be to attract
other union. We start only CEP and CW and frankly we believe that there is other unions in this
country that are looking at us right now and will probably join us in a very short period of time
to create a bigger and better organization.
Well, the union gives all of us an opportunity to stand together with solidarity
in order to meet the challenges the employers present to us.
So it's a better society, better people, you know, make everybody's life better.
I mean, everybody has a right to a earnable living that they can go home,
dignity and respect and bring that back to their families, right?
The union is my life. It means a lot. I'm a socialist. I have not accepted capitalism as a
very fair and equitable system and it's my way of sticking a hockey stick in the spokes of capitalism.
When I was a student, as many students, I guess my dream was to change the world,
to have a better world and I look around at that time and I thought that the best tool,
the best place to be if you want to change the world, if you want to build a better world,
if you want to change things in your country, is probably in the union. If it was not for union,
who would fight for public services? Who would fight for a good education program?
Who would fight for, you know, all of this? Of course, the students' organizations are,
but I think that the union are there, are a major player for all of those fight for a better world
and that's why I joined the union and I said, this is where I want to be involved.
This is where I believe I can contribute to do something and to make some change.
So, that's what union is for me. Union is there to fight for a better world and that's where I'm in it.
You will be leader in the new union.
I think for a second that in that new organization, we're going to have 86,000 women.
Well, brothers and sisters, when it's time to fight for social justice, when it's time to fight
for workers' rights, the women are always at the upfront and they'll be there in that new organization.
So, the CEP delegates this morning is that the new union project is also the future for our union.
The question is, all those in favor of the committee's recommendation of endorsement of resolution,
General Revolution, D1, please raise your cards.
You have made history today. We will turn this country around and if they pick on one of us, they pick on all of us.
Thank you.
